ASSUMPTION CHURCH

The history of Our Lady of Assumption dates back to 1765 when many of the French families on the south shore of the Detroit River petitioned to have a parish of their own. The Mission of Assumption then became the parish and served both the Hurons and the French settlers. The “Gervais” family was part of that first church. The settlers built a 60 by 30 foot frame building to accommodate the new parishioners. A new church was constructed in 1787, and it was built of timbers, or squared logs, and stood in front of the present church between what is now University Avenue and Riverside Drive. The parish boasted of having some 150 families. By 1801, there were some 500 parishioners. In 1845, a new structure, rectangular in shape, was built, and it forms the nave of the present structure. The Basilian fathers didn’t take over Assumption until 1857. Under the direction of Fr. Dennis O’Connor, the tower and sanctuary were added. The leaded windows in the main part of the church were added in 1882. What is interesting is that at the back of the choir loft there is a heavy wooden door. Scrawled on it are the names of the various organists who served Assumption. Peter St. Amour signed his name on Sunday at the 9 o’clock mass. The signatures of other organists date back to the 1920s and earlier. Peter St. Amour may well be the “last organist” unless the church is restored and re-opened. Bishop Fabbro on Sunday wouldn’t promise that this would be accomplished, but maintained that such a plan was in the works, and with prayers, hard work, dedication and the right amount of funds, there was hope. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
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